chapter 9 oral cavity/pharynx

Question 1

oral ulcerations

Answer 1

• may be manifestations of immunogenic, infectious, malignant, traumatic dz
• oral ca not most common reason for ulcerations but still needs to be considered
• sexual habits, etoh use, and smoking should be assessed

Question 2

halitosis

Answer 2

• usually due to oral cavity, some due to disorders of nasal, lungs or systemic dz
• tx towards underlying cause

Question 3

xerostomia

Answer 3

• common symptom of reduced or absent salivary secretion
• most common in aging women
• usually side effect of meds
• tongue commonly fissured and atrophic

Question 4

pain in oral cavity

Answer 4

• pain in teeth may be referred from chest

- pt with angina may have pn in teeth with exertion

Question 5

nasal obstruction

Answer 5

• from enlarged adenoids or tumor in nasopharynx

- assess if pt. has allergies, sinus issues, or trauma to face

Question 6

pain in pharynx

Answer 6

• can be from inflammation of tonsils or posterior pharynx, or tumor
• acute pn can be from inflammatory process or injury
• foreign body in pharynx causes worsening pn when swallowin
• can be referred pn from ipsilateral ear
• enlarged thyroid lobes or diffuse enlargement can cause pn and dysphagia

Question 7

deafness

Answer 7

tumor at distal end of eustachian tube in nasopharynx can cause conductive deafness

• benign masses (hypertrophied adenoids) can cause
• serous effusion in middle ear space may cause eustachian tube dysfunction

Question 8

dysphonia

Answer 8

-hoarseness
-major symptom of laryngeal dz
-sudden onset may be from impingement on recurrent laryngeal nerve
from tumor or enlarged atrium
-the use of endotracheal tube may damage vocal cords or cause hoarseness